Gaming system

ABSTRACT

A gaming system is disclosed which includes a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being arranged to implement a game. The gaming system includes a communications network arranged to connect the gaming devices in networked relationship, and a parameter repository arranged to store gaming device parameters. The gaming system is arranged to facilitate access to the parameter repository and modification of the gaming device parameters from a gaming device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to AustralianProvisional Patent Application No. 2008903206, filed on Jun. 24, 2008,entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM”, which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a gaming device and amethod of managing gaming device parameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controllerarranged to implement a game and a player interface usable by a playerto play the game.

In some gaming systems which include a plurality of networked gamingdevices, parameters associated with the gaming devices, such as speakervolume, allowable denominations, and so on, are adjustable by operatorsof the gaming system, for example by providing a dedicated maintenanceterminal connected through the network to the gaming devices and usableto modify the parameters associated with the gaming devices.

However, such a dedicated maintenance terminal is expensive forrelatively small gaming venues and necessitates a dedicated space at thegaming venue which may not be readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a gaming system including:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being arranged toimplement a game;

a communications network arranged to connect the gaming devices innetworked relationship; and

a parameter repository arranged to store gaming device parameters;

the gaming system being arranged to facilitate access to the parameterrepository and modification of the gaming device parameters from agaming device.

In one embodiment, gaming device parameters associated with at least onegaming device are stored remotely relative to the gaming devices andaccessible through the communications network. With this embodiment, thegaming system may include a remote base station arranged to store gamingdevice parameters, the remote base station including data indicative ofat least one game and a game server arranged to serve data indicative ofa game to a gaming device for implementation at the gaming device.

In one embodiment, at least one gaming device is arranged to storegaming device parameters. The gaming device parameters stored at agaming device may be associated only with the gaming device or may beassociated with a plurality of gaming devices.

In one arrangement, the gaming system is arranged to facilitate accessto the parameter repository from at least one dedicated gaming device.

In an alternative arrangement, the gaming system is arranged tofacilitate access to the parameter repository from any one of theplurality of gaming devices.

In one embodiment, the gaming system includes an authorization devicearranged to permit access to the game parameters by a person only whenthe identity of the person has been verified.

The authorization device may be arranged to receive an authorizationcode from a person, to compare the authorization code with a referenceauthorization code, and to permit access to the game parameters if theentered authorization code and the reference authorization code match.

In one embodiment, the gaming system includes an identification devicereader and the reference authorisation code is stored on anidentification device which may be an identification card, theidentification device reader being arranged to extract the authorizationcode from the identification device when the identification device is incommunication with the identification device reader.

In one embodiment, the gaming device parameters include speaker volume;allowable bill denominations receivable by a bill acceptor of the gamingdevice 12; status of the gaming device 12; opening hours associated withthe gaming venue; and/or any other gaming device related property.

In one arrangement, the gaming system is arranged to facilitate accessto the parameter repository from a remote location through the Internet,for example by a remotely located computing device such as a personalcomputer, or by a wireless enable personal digital assistant (PDA).

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a gaming device arranged to facilitate access to at least oneparameter repository arranged to store gaming device parametersassociated with at least one respective gaming device, and to facilitatemodification of the gaming device parameters from the gaming device.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of managing gaming device parameters including:

providing a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device beingarranged to implement a game;

connecting the gaming devices in networked relationship;

storing gaming device parameters for a plurality of gaming devices; and

facilitating access to the gaming device parameters and modification ofthe gaming device parameters from a gaming device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram a gaming device of the gaming systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the gaming device shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of operative components of thegaming device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of thegaming device shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a login screen displayed bythe gaming device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a game parameters menudisplayed by the gaming device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a game parameters tabledisplayed by the gaming device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming device of thegaming system shown in FIG. 9.

Features, further aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.Also, various embodiments of the aspects described in the precedingparagraphs will be apparent from the appended claims, the followingdescription and/or the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangementsand instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles ofmanufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, softwareexecuted on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatusare merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. Forexample, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware andsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, andapparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement suchmethods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one embodiment of the elementsis hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as amemory, DVD, CD, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a gaming system 10 is shownwhich is arranged to implement a probabilistic game, in this example ofthe type wherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomlydisplayed, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of thedisplayed symbols.

With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols used includestandard symbols and function symbols, and the game outcome isdetermined on the basis of the displayed standard symbols and thefunction associated with any displayed function symbol. For example,standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pears and bananaswith a win outcome being determined when a predetermined number of thesame fruit appear on a display along a win line, or are displayedaccording to defined outcome patterns such as scattered, and so on. Thefunction associated with a function symbol may be for example a wildfunction wherein display of the function symbol is treated duringconsideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. Afunction symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by anyother suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged suchas scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions,jackpot functions and feature commencement functions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of a gaming system 10 inaccordance with the present embodiment is shown. The gaming system 10includes several gaming devices 12 connected together in networkedrelationship. In this example, a remote base station 16 is alsoconnected to the network 14, the base station 16 storing data indicativeof several games which may be controllably served to the gaming devicesfor implementation by the gaming devices 12.

The base station 16 includes a processor 18 for controlling andcoordinating operations in the base station 16, a games repository 20for storing data indicative of one or more games implementable by thegaming devices 12, a games server 22 arranged to serve games to thegaming devices 12 under control of the processor 18, and a networkinterface 24 arranged to interface with the network 14 and facilitatecommunications between the base station 16 and the network 14.

The gaming system, 10 also includes a parameters repository 26, in thisexample included in the base station 16. The parameters repository 26stores parameters usable by the gaming devices 12 to define propertiesof the gaming devices 12. Example parameters include speaker volume; theallowable bill denominations receivable by a bill acceptor of the gamingdevice 12; the status of the gaming device 12, for example whether thegaming device is on-line or off-line; opening hours associated with thegaming venue and thereby whether gaming is allowed or not; and/or anyother gaming device related property. The parameters repository 26 isarranged to store a parameter record 28 for each gaming device 12, eachparameter record 28 containing data indicative of parameters associatedwith the gaming device 12.

The gaming system 10 is arranged such that the parameters contained inthe parameter records 28 are modifiable by an operator from at least oneof the gaming devices 12, in the present embodiment by enabling a gamingdevice to display a parameters menu on the gaming device display onrequest using a player interface associated with the gaming device.

While this embodiment is described in relation to a gaming systemwherein gaming device parameters are stored at a network location remotefrom the gaming devices 12, it will be understood that otherarrangements are possible. For example, each gaming device may bearranged to store gaming device parameters locally at the gaming device,and the gaming system arranged so that the gaming device parametersstored locally at the gaming devices are accessible using one dedicatedgaming device or any of the gaming devices connected to the network.

It will also be understood that the ability to modify the gaming deviceparameters is not restricted to locally disposed gaming devices 12. Forexample, access to the gaming device parameters, whether stored at thebase station or locally at the gaming devices 12, may also be permittedby remotely located devices such as through the Internet by gamingdevices 12 or computer enabled devices such as personal computers andpersonal digital assistants (PDA) located remotely relative to thegaming venue.

An embodiment of a gaming device 12 is shown in block diagram form inFIG. 2. The gaming device 12 includes a player interface 30 and a gamecontroller 32. The player interface 30 is arranged to enable interactionbetween the gaming system and a player or gaming device operator and forthis purpose includes input/output components for the player to enterinstructions and play the game and for the operator to gain access to aparameters menu and make changes to gaming device parameters asrequired.

Components of the player interface 30 may vary but will typicallyinclude a credit mechanism 34 to enable a player to input credits andreceive payouts, one or more displays 36 which may include a touchscreen, and a game play mechanism 38 arranged to enable a player toinput instructions.

The game controller 32 is in data communication with the playerinterface 30 and typically includes a processor 40 arranged to processgame play instructions and output game player outcomes to the display36. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code 42in a memory 44 that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that inthis specification the term “processor” is used to refer generically toany device that can process game play instructions and may include amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or othercomputational device such as a personal computer or a server.

In this example, the memory 44 also stores at least one service program46 which is used by the processor 40 to enable modification of thegaming device parameters at the gaming device by an operator. Theservice program 46 uses game menu data 46 which defines thecharacteristics of a parameters menu displayed on the display 36 whenthe parameters menu is requested by an operator. In this example, accessto the parameters menu is only allowed after the operator has beenauthenticated. This may occur by storing an authorisation code 49 in thememory 44 and requesting the authorisation code 49 from the operatorprior to granting access to the parameters menu.

In an alternative authorisation arrangement, the gaming system may beprovided with a reader which may be in the form of a player marketingmodule (PMM), and the person authorised to access the parameters menuprovided with an identification card readable by the PMM and includinginformation identifying the person. Insertion of the identification cardinto the PMM first causes the player tracking device to verify that theperson indicated on the card is authorised to gain access to theparameters menu, and secondly causes a request to be made for the personto enter an authorisation code such as a PIN number. Verification of thePIN number causes access to the parameters menu to be permitted.

The gaming device 12 also includes a network interface 47 arranged tofacilitate communications between the gaming device 12 and the network14.

The gaming system 10 can take a number of different forms.

In a first form, gaming devices in the form of gaming machines areprovided wherein all or most components to implement a game are presentin the gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components to implement a game are present in a player operablegaming device and some of the components to implement the game arelocated remotely relative to the gaming device, such as in a basestation as shown in FIG. 1. For example, a “thick client” architecturemay be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operablegaming terminal and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by agaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein mostof the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a playeroperable gaming terminal is used only to display audible and/or visiblegaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from theplayer.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming device isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingdevice and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form of implementation of the gaming system, variousarrangements are possible for storing and facilitating access to gamingdevice parameters associated with the gaming devices, including storingthe gaming device parameters locally at the gaming devices or storingthe gaming device parameters for at least some of the gaming devices atthe base station 16.

A stand alone gaming device 50 for use with the gaming system isillustrated in FIG. 3. The gaming device 50 includes a console 52 havinga display 54 on which is displayed representations of a game 56 that canbe played by a player. A mid-trim 60 of the gaming device 50 houses abank of buttons 62 for enabling a player to interact with the gamingdevice, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 60 also houses acredit input mechanism 64 which in this example includes a coin inputchute 64A and a bill collector 64B. Other credit input mechanisms mayalso be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card,debit card or credit card. A reading device may also be provided for thepurpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of aloyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of acard, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of beingread by the reading device.

A top box 66 may carry artwork 68, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 69 of the console 52. A coin tray 70 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 69 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming device 50.

The display 54 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly acathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 54 may be aliquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable videodisplay unit. The top box 66 may also include a display, for example avideo display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 54, orof a different type. The display 54 may include a touch screen usable bya player to interact with the gaming device, in particular during gameplay, and to interact with the system menu in order to display aparameters menu usable to access and modify parameters associated withone or more gaming devices.

The display 54 in this example is arranged to display representations ofseveral reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols. Duringoperation of the game, the reels first appear to rotate then stop withat least one symbol visible on each reel. Game outcomes are determinedon the basis of the visible symbols together with any special functionsassociated with the symbols.

A player marketing module (PMM) 72 having a display 74 is connected tothe gaming device 50. The main purpose of the PMM 72 is to allow theplayer to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magneticcard reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, forexample as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices maybe employed and the player tracking device may be in the form of a card,flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being readby the reading device. The PMM 72 may also be arranged to readidentification information from an identification card in order toauthorise a person to gain access to meter data stored in the gamingdevice memory. In this example, the PMM 72 is a Sentinel III deviceproduced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of operative components of a gaming device100 which may be the same as or different to the gaming device shown inFIG. 3.

The gaming device 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 inaccordance with the present invention are stored in a memory 103 whichis in data communication with the processor 102.

Typically, the gaming device 100 will include both volatile andnon-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with suchmemories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame and service programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere, and meter data 28.

The gaming device has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with a playerinterface 120 of the gaming device 100, the player interface 120 havingseveral peripheral devices. The input/output interface 105 and/or theperipheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory forstoring associated instructions and data for use with the input/outputinterface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral devices that communicatewith the game controller 101 include one or more displays 106, a touchscreen and/or bank of buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, aprinter 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coinoutput mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of thegaming device 100, or hardware may be omitted based on the specificimplementation.

In addition, the gaming device 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming device100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 may be provided remotely from the gamecontroller 101.

An example of a specific implementation of a gaming system will now bedescribed.

During normal operation, the gaming system implements a game in responseto player input. The game may be implemented solely by a gaming device,or at least partly by the gaming device and at least partly by a remotebase station.

In order to view and/or modify at least one parameter associated with agaming device, a representative of operators of the gaming system causesan authorization screen 200 to be shown on a gaming device using thegame play mechanism 20 and/or touch screen, as shown in FIG. 6. Usingthe authorization screen 200, an operator enters authorizationinformation, in this example a login name 202 and authorization code204, in order to verify the identity of the representative.

Positive identification grants the representative access to a parametersmenu 210 shown in FIG. 7 which may be navigated using the game playmechanism 20 and/or touch screen. The parameters menu 210 includes aplurality of buttons 212, each button 212 corresponding to a gamingdevice and being arranged such that, when activated, a parameters table220 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

Each parameters table 220 includes at least one parameter 222 and atleast one modifiable value 224 for each parameter 222. In this example,the parameters 222 include speaker volume; allowable bill denominations;the machine status, that is, whether the gaming device is on-line oroff-line; and the gaming venue opening hours and, as such, the times atwhich the gaming device may be used by a player. However, it will beunderstood that other parameters are envisaged.

Using the parameters table 220, an operator is able to modify theparameter values 224 for the gaming device associated with theparameters table 220.

While the above embodiment is described in relation to a gaming systemwherein gaming device parameters are stored at a base station innetworked communication with the gaming devices, it will be understoodthat other arrangements are possible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9and 10, an alternative gaming system 300 and gaming device 310 areshown. Like and similar features are indicated with like referencenumerals. With this arrangement, instead of storing the gaming deviceparameters at a base station in networked communication with the gamingdevices, the parameters 312 for each gaming device are stored locally atthe gaming device 310, for example in the gaming device memory 44, andeach gaming device is arranged so as to allow the gaming deviceparameters to be accessed and modified through the network, for examplefrom other gaming devices 310.

It will be appreciated that the gaming system may also be arranged so asto facilitate access to the gaming device parameters 28, 312 fromdevices other than the gaming devices disposed at the gaming venue. Forexample, the gaming system may be arranged to as to facilitate access tothe gaming device parameters by computing devices such as personalcomputers disposed remotely relative to the gaming venue, or by networkenabled, for example wireless network enabled, personal portablecomputing devices such as personal digital assistant devices (PDA).

In the claims of this application and in the description of theinvention, except where the context indicates otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the words “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference tothe drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specificembodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of thepresent invention. However, describing the invention with drawingsshould not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitationsassociated with features shown in the drawings. It will be understoodthat the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extendsto all alternative combinations of two or more of the individualfeatures mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of thesedifferent combinations constitute various alternative aspects of theinvention.

The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program productson any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable foraccomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/orby a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or anotherpurpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include programproducts comprising machine-readable media for carrying or havingmachine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchmachine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to amachine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed amachine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

1. A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming devices, eachgaming device being arranged to implement a game; a communicationsnetwork arranged to connect the gaming devices in networkedrelationship; and a parameter repository arranged to store gaming deviceparameters; the gaming system being arranged to facilitate access to theparameter repository and modification of the gaming device parametersfrom a gaming device.
 2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, whereingaming device parameters associated with at least one gaming device arestored remotely relative to the gaming device and accessible through thecommunications network.
 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2,comprising a remote base station arranged to store gaming deviceparameters, the remote base station comprising data indicative of atleast one game and a game server arranged to serve data indicative of agame to a gaming device for implementation at the gaming device.
 4. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one gaming deviceis arranged to store gaming device parameters.
 5. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the gaming device parameters stored at agaming device are associated only with the gaming device.
 6. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 4, wherein the gaming device parametersstored at a gaming device are associated with a plurality of gamingdevices.
 7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gamingsystem is arranged to facilitate access to the parameter repository fromat least one dedicated gaming device.
 8. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the gaming system is arranged to facilitate access tothe parameter repository from any one of the plurality of gamingdevices.
 9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising anauthorization device arranged to permit access to the game parameters bya person only when the identity of the person has been verified.
 10. Agaming system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the authorization device isarranged to receive an authorization code from a person, to compare theauthorization code with a reference authorization code, and to permitaccess to the game parameters if the entered authorization code and thereference authorization code match.
 11. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the gaming system comprises an identification devicereader and the reference authorisation code is stored on anidentification device, the identification device reader being arrangedto extract the authorization code from the identification device whenthe identification device is in communication with the identificationdevice reader.
 12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein thegaming device parameters include speaker volume; allowable billdenominations receivable by a bill acceptor of the gaming device; statusof the gaming device; and/or opening hours associated with the gamingvenue.
 13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gamingsystem is arranged to facilitate access to the parameter repository froma remote location through the Internet.
 14. A gaming system as claimedin claim 1, wherein at least one gaming device comprises a gamingmachine.
 15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onegaming device comprises a gaming terminal arranged to implement a gamein association with a gaming server.
 16. A gaming device arranged toimplement a game, the gaming device being arranged to facilitate accessto at least one parameter repository arranged to store gaming deviceparameters associated with at least one respective gaming device, and tofacilitate modification of the gaming device parameters from the gamingdevice.
 17. A gaming device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gamingdevice is arranged to communicate with a remote base station arranged tostore the gaming device parameters, and to facilitate modification ofthe gaming device parameters stored in the remote base station.
 18. Agaming device as claimed in claim 16, comprising a parameter repositoryarranged to store gaming device parameters at the gaming device.
 19. Agaming device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the gaming deviceparameters stored in the parameter repository are associated only withthe gaming device.
 20. A gaming device as claimed in claim 18, whereinthe gaming device parameters stored in the parameter repository areassociated with a plurality of gaming devices.
 21. A gaming device asclaimed in claim 16, comprising an authorization device arranged topermit access to the game parameters by a person only when the identityof the person has been verified.
 22. A gaming device as claimed in claim16, wherein the gaming device parameters include speaker volume;allowable bill denominations receivable by a bill acceptor of the gamingdevice; status of the gaming device; and/or opening hours associatedwith the gaming venue.
 23. A method of managing gaming device parameterscomprising: providing a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming devicebeing arranged to implement a game; connecting the gaming devices innetworked relationship; storing gaming device parameters for a pluralityof gaming devices; and facilitating access to the gaming deviceparameters and modification of the gaming device parameters from agaming device.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, comprising storinggaming device parameters associated with at least one gaming deviceremotely relative to the gaming device.
 25. A method as claimed in claim24, comprising storing gaming device parameters at a remote basestation, the remote base station comprising data indicative of at leastone game and a game server arranged to serve data indicative of a gameto a gaming device for implementation at the gaming device.
 26. A methodas claimed in claim 23, comprising storing gaming device parameters at agaming device.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 26, comprising storinggaming device parameters associated only with the gaming device at agaming device.
 28. A method as claimed in claim 26, comprising storinggaming device parameters associated with a plurality of gaming devicesat a gaming device.
 29. A method as claimed in claim 23, comprisingfacilitating access to the parameter repository from at least onededicated gaming device.
 30. A method as claimed in claim 23, comprisingfacilitating access to the parameter repository from any one of theplurality of gaming devices.
 31. A method as claimed in claim 23,comprising permitting access to the game parameters by a person onlywhen the identity of the person has been verified.
 32. A method asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the gaming device parameters includespeaker volume; allowable bill denominations receivable by a billacceptor of the gaming device; status of the gaming device; and/oropening hours associated with the gaming venue.
 33. A method as claimedin claim 23, comprising facilitating access to the parameter repositoryfrom a remote location through the Internet.
 34. An article ofmanufacture comprising: a computer readable storage medium; andexecutable program instructions embodied in the computer readablestorage medium that when executed by programmable system cause thesystem to perform functions that implement a method of managing gamingdevice parameters comprising: providing a plurality of gaming devices,each gaming device being arranged to implement a game; connecting thegaming devices in networked relationship; storing gaming deviceparameters for a plurality of gaming devices; and facilitating access tothe gaming device parameters and modification of the gaming deviceparameters from a gaming device.